Agriculture and Rural Development

The implementation of the rural development policy and its impacts on innovation and modernisation of rural

economy

Christian Vincentini, European CommissionDG Agriculture and Rural Development

christian.vincentini@ec.europa.eu

Gaia, 18/06/2015

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Europe 2020 Strategy for Smart,

Sustainable and Inclusive Growth

Common Agricultural Policy

Viable food production

Sustainable management of natural resources and climate

action

Territorial balance and diversity of rural areas

EuropeanStructural andInvestmentFunds

11 Thematic Objectives

Horizon2020 Agricultural research

EuropeanInnovation Partnership

Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability

Pillar 2:EU's rural development policy

6 Union priorities

Pillar 1

Strategic orientation of the new CAP

A reinforced strategic programming approach

• Clear focus on policy priorities:

6 Union priorities for rural development

Define the points of emphasis of the policy with respect to the needs for intervention identified at the level of the Union

3 cross-cutting objectives: Innovation, Environment, Climate Change

• Strengthened result-orientation of RD programmes

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Strategic programming of Rural Development

The 6 Union priorities for rural development

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6. Promoting social inclusion, poverty reduction and economic development in rural areas

2. Enhancing farm viability and competitiveness of all types of agriculture in all regions and promoting innovative farm technologies and sustainable management of forests

3. Promoting food chain organisation, including processing and marketing of agricultural products, animal welfare and risk management in agriculture

4. Restoring, preserving and enhancing ecosystems related to agriculture and forestry

5. Promoting resource efficiency and supporting the shift towards a low carbon and climate resilient economy in agriculture, food and forestry sectors

1. Fostering knowledge transfer and innovation in agriculture, forestry, and rural areas

Strategic programming of Rural Development

30%

5%

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1. Assessment of needs1. Assessment of needs

2. Choice of priorities / focus areas 2. Choice of priorities / focus areas

Target setting Target setting

3. Attribution of relevant measures to focus areas

3. Attribution of relevant measures to focus areas

4. Budgetary allocations to measures

4. Budgetary allocations to measures

Consistency with PA

Synergies & complementarities with 1st Pillar

and ESIF

Consistency with PA

Synergies & complementarities with 1st Pillar

and ESIF

5. Implementation5. Implementation

Monitoring & EvaluationReporting

Monitoring & EvaluationReporting

Strategic programming of Rural Development

Food

HabitatsBiodiversity

Economic Viability

Cultureand Values

Climate Change

Resource-management

Innovation in RD: what's for?

Rural Economy

Forests, Energy,Biomass

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Research and Innovation: what are we talking about?

Research: creating new knowledge

Innovation: translating into practice new ideas – coming from research or from the ground – and new knowledge

• Concrete new products or services delivered to the market

• New ways of working

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• Research and Innovation: 3 main interlinked frameworks

NetworksNetworks

Networks

• Commission Communication (COM (2012) 79)

• Aim: To foster a competitive and sustainable agriculture and forestry sector that "achieves more from less"

• Approach: "Closing the innovation gap" between research and practice by using the interactive innovation model + Link actors via an EIP Network

• Funding: Existing Union policies -> Rural Development

-> Research & Innovation "Horizon 2020"

EIP – AGRI in short

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The Innovation Models

Linear innovation model:

”from lab to practice"

Interactive innovation model: Bottom-up approach Multi-actor Partnership & networking

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Research

Agricultural practice R

esultsF

eedb

ack

Interaction

Innovation in agriculture: the challenge

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Means for Implementing the EIP – AGRI1. Rural Development Policy:

Focus groups / Setting up "operational groups" (key entities of the EIP AGRI)

Pilot projects / innovation support services / investments / knowledge transfer / networking / cooperation, ...

Implemented via Member States and/or regions.

2. European Union Research Policy (Horizon 2020)

Funding research projects, also involving on-farm experiments, to enhance the knowledge base for innovation

Interactive formats such as multi-actor projects and thematic networks

Implemented at EU level (at least 3 MS or associated countries).

3. Networking

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Farmers

NGOs Advisors

ResearchersAgri-business

OperationalGroup

1. Rural Development Policy:Key Acting Entities within the EIP

- Operational Groups -

• "Operational Group" = a team composed of those stakeholders relevant for the project, working together in an innovation project and producing concrete results

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1. Rural Development Policy:What kind of projects can OGs work with?

• New grouping, new project √

• Existing grouping, new project √

• Existing grouping, existing project X

• The OG must demonstrably have an active project which will contribute to RD priorities

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From EU side:- Establish internal procedures

- Describe the project- Describe the expected results

- Disseminate the results But…

National and regional Managing Authorities can complement EU requirements

1. Rural Development Policy:- OGs: Obligations -

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2. Research & Innovation Policy Horizon 2020- Work Programme 2014-2015 -

Expression of interest related to:

• Sustainable terrestrial livestock production

• Genetic resources and agricultural diversity for food security, productivity and resilience

• Proteins of the future

• Closing the research and innovation divide ( thematic networks)

And other calls deal with agro-food systems and process, food chains, …

-Information available on the Participant Portal:-http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/home.html

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The EIP Network

• Collect information (research and innovation projects etc.) and best innovation practices

• Effective flow of information (website, databases)

• Give advice on opportunities within policies (helpdesk function)

• Sharing knowledge on concrete practical work and connect actors (seminars, workshops)

• Systematic feedback to the scientific community about practice needs (Art.12 H2020)

• Active coordination with the European network for rural development and National Rural Networks

Making the links

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• Innovation-related rural development measures

• Setting up operational groups on innovation projects

• Project funding for activities of operational groups

• Supporting innovation support services

• Research projects (calls)

• New interactive innovation formats (multi-actor projects and thematic networks)

Rural Development Policy Horizon 2020

More information on EIP:

http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/eip/

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Thank you for your attention!

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